Novel gas bar structure

ABSTRACT

A novel gas bar structure is provided. It includes a prefabricated kiosk, secured to a foundation securely anchored within the ground and extending slightly above the level of the ground. A post is provided which is anchored in the foundation centrally within the kiosk, and which extends upwardly through the roof of the kiosk. A sign is surmounted on the post and is preferably rotatable by a motor which is also mounted on the post. At least two planetary service islands are disposed equiradially from the center of the kiosk, the service island including a foundation securely anchored within the ground and extending a substantial distance above the ground, such service island including at least one gasoline dispensing pump thereon. An arched, cantilevered light fixture arm is provided for each such service island, each light fixture arm having one end secured to the post, with the other end having a light fixture thereon, superposed above such service island.

United States Patent [1 1 Martin Dec. 11, 1973 NOVEL GAS BAR STRUCTURE Alfred Leonard Martin, 545 The West Mall, Etobicoke, Ontario, Canada [22] Filed: Nov. 13, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 305,678

[76] Inventor:

Primary Examiner-l-larold W. Weakley AttorneyGeorge H. Spencer et al.

[57] ABSTRACT A novel gas bar structure is provided. It includes a prefabricated kiosk, secured to a foundation securely anchored within the ground and extending slightly above the level of the ground. A post is provided which is anchored in the foundation centrally within the kiosk, and which extends upwardly through the roof of the kiosk. A sign is surmounted on the post and is preferably rotatable by a motor which is also mounted on the post. At least two planetary service islands are disposed equiradially from the center of the kiosk, the service island including a foundation securely anchored within the ground and extending a substantial distance above the ground, such service island including at least one gasoline dispensing pump thereon. An arched, cantilevered light fixture arm is provided for each such service island, each light fixture arm having one end secured to the post, with the other end having a light fixture thereon, superposed above such service island.

15 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures PATENTEDHEB 11 ms 31-71777: Y

. SHEET 2 UF 3 NOVEL GAS BAR STRUCTURE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates generally to the structures where gasoline, oil and other petroleum products are sold which are known commonly as gas bars." It is directed more particularly to a novel structural interrelationship and configuration of attendants kiosk, gasoline dispensing pumps, lights and sign.

2. Description of the Prior Art Most so-called gas bars and service stations are provided with a building structure to accommodate the attendant or attendants of the gas bar or service station,

the products being sold, the monies collected, etc. and

one or more usually randomly positioned service station islands, i.e., the elongated floor area usually occupied by a series of gasoline pumps, such islands also carrying a display of products sold and being provided with overhead lights. Signs are also usually erected. However, little regard has been paid heretofore to structural inter-relationship between these components, to the aesthetic appearance of the gas bar or service station, or to the optimum utilization of the property on which the gas bar or service station is situated.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Aims of the Invention Accordingly, it is an object of this invention .to provide a unitary cooperative combination of attendanfls kiosk, service islands, lights, and sign which provides optimum space utilization anda pleasing aesthetic appearance.

Brief Description of the Invention According to this invention, then,.a-gasoline dispensing structure is provided, which comprises the novel structural inter-relationship between five elements. The first is a prefabricated kiosk, secured to a foundation securely anchored within the ground and extending slightly above the level of the ground. The second is a post, anchored in the foundation centrally within the kiosk, and extending upwardly through the roof of the kiosk. A sign is provided which is surmounted on the post. It is preferably rotatable by means of a motor which is also mounted on the post. At least two. planetary service islands aredisposed equiradially from the center of the kiosk, each of the service islands including a foundation securely anchored within the ground and extending a substantial distance above the ground. The service island includes at least one gasoline dispensing pump thereon. Finally, an arched, cantilevered light fixture arm is provided for each of the service islands, each light fixture arm having one end secured. to the post. The other end is provided with a light fixture thereon, which is superposed above its associated service island.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF VARIANTS OF THE INVENTION The foundation is preferably poured concrete, in the form of a rimmed frusto-conical member, the frustoconical portion and a part of the rim being buried in the ground, with the remainder of the rim extending above the ground level, to provide a protective step about six inches high. The diameter of the rim is, of course, slightly larger than the diameter of the kiosk.

The central post is a hollow post, preferably of steel, which is secured firmly into the poured concrete foundation. Not only does the post serve to hold the light fixture arms, and the sign, but it also is fitted with electrical wires, connected to a breaker box connected to buried electrical cables. In this way, electrical power is provided for use within the kiosk, for the lights, for the motor driving the rotatable sign and for the motors operating the gasoline pumps.

While at least two planetary service islands have been disclosed hereinabove, it is preferred to have three such planetary service islands. At least one gasoline pump has been disclosed hereinabove, for mounting on the service island. However, in a preferred embodiment of this invention, each island is provided with only one such pump. It is also an essential feature of this invention that the service island extend substantially above the ground level, preferably by at least about 2 feet.

The number of light fixture arms is the same as the number of planetary service islands. Preferably, then, three such arms are provided. Each arm must be of arched, cantilevered configuration, to provide alight suspended above each service island. If there is but one gasoline pump at each such service island, as in the preferred embodiment, then the light fixture is substantially semi-spherical. On the other hand, if there are two or more gasoline pumps at each service island, then the light fixtures would be substantially rectangular, or semi-ovoid.

A sign is mounted at the top of the post. Such sign is preferably rotatably mounted and hence, mounted near the top of the post is an electric motor to rotate the rotatably mounted sign.

By the particular combination of central kiosk and planetary service islands with the uncovered areas therebetween, and the central post supporting the arched, cantilevered light fixture arms and sign, a novel functional structure has been provided which not only optimizes space utilized, but also presents a most pleasing appearance. In addition, the gas bar can be completely operational within two days of the commencement of construction.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OFTHE DRAWINGS In the drawings which show one preferred embodiment of this invention,

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of the novel gas bar structure of a preferred aspect of this invention;

FIG. 2 is an elevational view, partly in section, showing a portion of the novel structure of this invention; and

FIG. 3 is a typical site plan of a preferred embodiment of this invention.

DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Description of FIGS. 1 and 2 As seen in FIGS. 1. and 2, the novel structure of this invention, designated by reference numeral 10, includes a kiosk 11, a plurality of planetary service islands 12, and the uncovered space therebetween. The

kiosk is a prefabricated structure and preferably is a cylindrical structure formed of A inch steel and having a prefinished painted exterior. In a preferred embodiment, it is 9 feet in diameter, and 8 feet high. The kiosk 11 is provided with a door 14 and a plurality of windows 15. The floor 16 thereof is the upper surface of a poured concrete foundation 17.

The poured concrete foundation 17 is generally in the form of a frusto-conical member 18, with the apex of the cone cut off at 19. The base of the cone is in the form of a rim 20, a portion of which 21 is designed to be buried in the ground 22 and/or partially covered with paving material 23, the remaining portion 24 providing a foundation step 25, preferably about 6 inches high, circumscribing the circumference of the kiosk 1 l. A plurality of reinforcing rods 26 are provided to strengthen the floor 16. If desired, although not shown, a safe may be set into concrete foundation 17 for the storage of valuables therein.

A hollow post 27 is set in the concrete foundation 17 with a pair of bar anchors 28 serving to secure the post more securely. The post preferably is 8 inches o.d. extra heavy pipe, or of inches standard weight pipe of steel having a minimum yield of 35 KS1.

Each service island 12 includes a hollow concrete post 121, which, in the preferred embodiment, is a hollow cylindrical post. The base or island thus may be a 3-foot diameter cylinder having a 16-inch diameter hollow core. It must project a substantial distance above the ground level 23, preferably at least 2 feet. A gasoline pump 29 of standard make is mounted on the base or island 12.

Each fixture arm 30, and in the preferred embodiment there are three, comprises an arched, cantilevered hollow pipe. In a particular example, each such arm 30 is a foot 6 inch span, 10 foot 3 inch rise round pipe. The arched pipe is fitted into a fixture arm bracket 31 which comprises a slightly larger diameter pipe secured, as by welding, to post 27. A rigidifying support comprising an inverted frusto-conical steel collar 32 is disposed around post 27 between the roof 15A of kiosk 11 and the bottom of brackets 31.

At the outer end of the arms 30 is a fixture mounting bracket 33 from which is mounted a light fixture 34 including an inverted conical shade 35 and a semispherical diffuser 36.

The structure at the top of post 27 includes a steel plate welded to the post 27, with a rotator 38 bolted thereto. The shaft 39 of the rotator is coupled by a coupling comprising a pair of 1 inch thick steel plates 40 to a sign 41.

The electrical conduits (not shown) are fed into the base of the post 27 and thence up the post 27 to where electrical power is required.

Description of FIG. 3

Turning now to FIG. 3, the central kiosk 11 is shown, along with the three planetary service islands 12A, 12B, 12C and the uncovered space therebetween 13, shown in dot-and-peck outline 47.

The gasoline tanks 43, 44, 45, are buried in the ground with a minimum of 3 feet ground cover thereover and they each are provided with the standard 4 inch filling nozzles 47 and 2 inch vents 48. The tanks are further provided with the necessary gasoline feed lines to the three gasoline pumps at the three service islands as follows:

Line 50 from tank 45 to service island 12B; line 51 from tank 45 to service island 12C; and line 52 from tank 45 to service island 12A. Line 53 from tank 44 to island 12A; and line 54 from tank 44 to island 12C. Finally, line 55 from tank 43 to island 12B. If tank 43 is supplied with premium gasoline, and tanks 44 and 45 are supplied with regular gasoline, and since each island has a double gasoline pump, to dispense either premium or regular gasoline, the above-noted configuration and interconnections provide one outlet for premium gasoline and five outlets for regular" gasoline.

I claim:

1. A combination comprising:

i. a prefabricated kiosk, secured to a foundation securely anchored within the ground and extending slightly above the level of the ground;

ii. a post, anchored in the foundation centrally within said kiosk, and extending upwardly through the roof thereof;

iii. a sign surmounted on said post;

iv. at least two planetary service islands disposed equiradially from the center of the kiosk, said service islands each being provided with a foundation securely anchored within the ground and extending a substantial distance above the ground, said service island including at least one gasoline dispensing pump thereon; and

v. an arched, cantilevered light fixture arm for each said service island, each light fixture arm having one end secured to said post, with the other end having a light fixture thereon, superposed above said service island.

2. The combination of claim 1 wherein said sign is rotatable, being rotated by a motor which is also mounted on said post.

3. The combination of claim 1 wherein said prefabricated kiosk is a hollow cylinder, having an integrally secured roof, and provided with a door and at least one window.

4. The combination of claim 3 wherein said prefabricated kiosk is formed of steel.

5. The combination of claim 3 wherein the floor of the kiosk is the upper surface of said foundation which is securely anchored within the ground.

6. The combination of claim 1 wherein said foundation is poured concrete, in the form of a rimmed frustoconical member, the frusto-conical portion and a part of the rim being buried in the ground, with the remainder of the rim extending above the ground level.

7. The combination of claim 6 wherein said portion of said rim which extends above the ground provides a protective step about six inches high.

8. The combination of claim 1 wherein said central post is a hollow post, which is secured firmly into the foundation.

9. The combination of claim 8 wherein said post is formed of steel.

10. The combination of claim 8 wherein said post is fitted with electrical wires, connected to a breaker box and to buried electrical cables, thereby to provide electric power to use within the kiosk, for the lights, for the motor driving the rotatable sign and for the motors operating the gasoline pumps.

11. The combination of claim 1 wherein the foundation of said service island extends at least about two feet above the ground.

12. The combination of claim 1 wherein each service island is provided with only one gasoline pump.

13. The combination of claim 12 wherein there are three such planetary service islands.

the light fixtures are substantially rectangular or semiovoid.

15. The combination of claim 12 wherein the light 14. The combination of claim 1 wherein there are 5 fixture is substantially semispherical- 

1. A combination comprising: i. a prefabricated kiosk, secured to a foundation securely anchored within the ground and extending slightly above the Level of the ground; ii. a post, anchored in the foundation centrally within said kiosk, and extending upwardly through the roof thereof; iii. a sign surmounted on said post; iv. at least two planetary service islands disposed equiradially from the center of the kiosk, said service islands each being provided with a foundation securely anchored within the ground and extending a substantial distance above the ground, said service island including at least one gasoline dispensing pump thereon; and v. an arched, cantilevered light fixture arm for each said service island, each light fixture arm having one end secured to said post, with the other end having a light fixture thereon, superposed above said service island.
 2. The combination of claim 1 wherein said sign is rotatable, being rotated by a motor which is also mounted on said post.
 3. The combination of claim 1 wherein said prefabricated kiosk is a hollow cylinder, having an integrally secured roof, and provided with a door and at least one window.
 4. The combination of claim 3 wherein said prefabricated kiosk is formed of steel.
 5. The combination of claim 3 wherein the floor of the kiosk is the upper surface of said foundation which is securely anchored within the ground.
 6. The combination of claim 1 wherein said foundation is poured concrete, in the form of a rimmed frusto-conical member, the frusto-conical portion and a part of the rim being buried in the ground, with the remainder of the rim extending above the ground level.
 7. The combination of claim 6 wherein said portion of said rim which extends above the ground provides a protective step about six inches high.
 8. The combination of claim 1 wherein said central post is a hollow post, which is secured firmly into the foundation.
 9. The combination of claim 8 wherein said post is formed of steel.
 10. The combination of claim 8 wherein said post is fitted with electrical wires, connected to a breaker box and to buried electrical cables, thereby to provide electric power to use within the kiosk, for the lights, for the motor driving the rotatable sign and for the motors operating the gasoline pumps.
 11. The combination of claim 1 wherein the foundation of said service island extends at least about two feet above the ground.
 12. The combination of claim 1 wherein each service island is provided with only one gasoline pump.
 13. The combination of claim 12 wherein there are three such planetary service islands.
 14. The combination of claim 1 wherein there are two or more gasoline pumps at each service island and the light fixtures are substantially rectangular or semi-ovoid.
 15. The combination of claim 12 wherein the light fixture is substantially semi-spherical. 